Moldova Eases Regulatory Processes For Large-Scale Solar Power Plants

The Cabinet of Ministers in Moldova has approved a plan by the Ministry of Energy to ease the permitting process and requirements for solar energy projects with more than 20 MW capacity. This will provide predictability to investors and help accelerate the country’s renewable energy expansion, said the Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov.   

The new regulation will be applicable to the construction, reconstruction and expansion of solar power plants. It was framed by the ministry to facilitate the authorization of solar energy from projects for the free market and those that do not have state subsidies.  

Project applications under the new regime will be evaluated by the Authorization Commission, based on requisite technical and commercial prospects, compliance with state policies, connection to the power grid, and availability of land in the area proposed by the applicant. 

Such applications will then need to be cleared by the Cabinet of Ministers whose decision will be valid for a period of 60 months. 

Parlicov said these changes are aimed at creating a clear and transparent legal framework for the development of renewable energy production capacities.  

Moldova’s renewable energy ambition is to achieve at least 27% of energy consumption from such capacities in the gross final energy consumption by 2030. According to the official data from Moldova’s system operator Moldelectrica, renewable energy projects with a combined 306.58 MW capacity were connected to the grid till mid-July 2024.  

In July 2024, it announced the 1st renewable energy tender for wind and solar projects seeking 105 MW for wind and 60 MW for PV facilities; however, details are expected to be released soon. Once this 165 MW capacity is online, it is expected to increase the share of renewable energy production in the country from 10% to 16.6%, according to the ministry.